“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.”(Gen 32:24)
Jacob had sent his wives, sons and all of his belongings to the other side of a brook. Jacob stayed behind and sat alone. He wasn’t sleeping, or having a dream. He was obviously praying about the fear he had.
Prayer is not confined to asking God for something, or praising God for something. We can speak to God as in a conversation. God had already told Jacob that he would be protected but, just as someone saying they will give you something, we always want more detail. Jacob would have been in the same prayer. He had faith that he would be protected but, what about his family? What about his livestock? What exactly would Esau do to him? And this is where the mysterious man appears to Jacob.
Jacob wrestles with the man all night long. Wrestling is a tough fight. They grappled to achieve dominance over each other. Jacob discovered that this man had put Jacobs hip out of joint. A painful way to win. As day break was near the man asked Jacob to let him go. Jacob refused to let the man go unless he gave Jacob a blessing.
“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Gen 32:28)
Had Jacob just beaten an Angel? No, Jacob had prevailed over fear and doubt. He was faithful that God would provide him the power to prevail over men with the power of God.
Jacob wanted to know the man’s name and the man refused to give it. Jacob didn’t need his name. Jacob already knew that this was God in the flesh. Jacob had met God face to face.
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